[Flowchart] Keep busy and fulfilled with a new hobby this fall

Days are shorter, the leaves are changing colors, and the air is crisp. But just because summer is over, it doesn’t mean you need to go straight into early hibernation.

The chilling weather and cozy feelings actually make it the perfect time to take up a new hobby you hadn’t considered before. We’ve put together a collection of creative activities you could start adding to your life with benefits to both your mental and physical wellness. Let us help you find your potential new passion with this fall flowchart, and we’ll let you take it from there!

How to find a new hobby

Have some free time? Finding a new hobby is a great way to enrich your life, meet new people, and relieve stress. And as you develop your skills, a hobby provides a strong sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction. If you need help figuring out what to do, here are our suggestions for how to start a new hobby.

1. Make a list of things and places that make you happy

The right hobby will incorporate things you love and bring more positivity into your life. So, start by making a list of places, environments, activities, or things that make you happy. Next, look through your list and see if any items overlap.

For example, if you like doing art and collecting mugs, painting pottery could be a fantastic hobby. On the other hand, if you love the outdoors and enjoy being in group environments, joining a hiking or geocaching club might be a better fit.

2. Consider your personality

Choose a hobby that suits your character and personal habits. Are you patient? Laidback? Athletic? Creative? Methodical? Scatterbrained (It’s okay. You can admit it)? Whatever hobby you choose shouldn’t clash with your most important traits. If you’re someone who needs instant gratification to keep enjoying your hobby, for instance, you may prefer activities with a shorter learning curve.

3 Decide how much time you have available

One thing that can derail you from starting a new hobby (or sticking with it) is a lack of time. Hobbies provide a mental and emotional outlet for frustration and anxiety. The last thing you want to do is cut out these mood-boosting activities altogether.

Instead, try to pick an activity that works well with your schedule. Even if you only have an hour to spare each week, reserve that time for your hobby and only cancel it when absolutely necessary.

4. Ask friends and family for suggestions

Sometimes, it isn’t easy to recognize your own skills or personality traits. If you’re having trouble choosing a hobby, ask people you trust for suggestions. Family and friends can offer insight about past situations when you excelled at something or seemed happy in a particular environment. Once you get their insights, go back to tip #1 and refine your list.

5. Use diagrams to pick a new hobby

For those of you who like to have information laid out visually, diagramming is a good way to narrow down your hobby options. Visuals make it easier to organize information and identify helpful patterns. The following diagrams are useful tools for brainstorming a new hobby or deciding which one is right for you:

• Mind maps: the web structure is perfect for listing hobby ideas and the personality traits or benefits related to each.
• Personal SWOT analysis: if you aren’t sure about your strengths and weaknesses, use this grid to figure out where you shine.
• Lotus blossom: this ideation method helps you break down a topic and brainstorm a host of solutions.
• Flowcharts: flowcharts function like a map. They allow you to chart out a decision or process and consider the outcome of key choices.

Easy places to get started

If you enjoyed the suggestions in our themed flowchart, check out the list below for resources that can help with your new hobby.

Dancing: Refinery29
Yoga: DoYogaWithMe
Gardening: IntoxicatedOnLife
Rolling Skating: Queer Girl Straight Skates
Pickling & Jarring: An Off-Grid Life 
Baking: The Spruce Eats
Making Pasta: Bon Appétit
Making Soup: Delish
Coding: w3schools
Knitting/Crocheting: All Crafts Channel
Learn to Play the Harmonica: Mitch Grainger

This post was originally published on October 5, 2020, and updated most recently on March 8, 2022.